TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Tuskegee men’s basketball team secured an emphatic 85-47 victory against the Benedict Tigers in their 2024-25 home opener inside the Daniel “Chappie” James Center.
The Golden Tigers, entering the contest at 0-4, flipped the script with a strong all-around performance in their first SIAC win of the season.
From the opening tip, Tuskegee (1-4, 1-1 SIAC) controlled the pace and set the tone early with relentless defense and efficient offense.
The Golden Tigers jumped out to a commanding 47-19 lead by halftime, fueled by a 52.9 percent shooting effort from the field in the first half, including 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.
By comparison, Benedict (0-4, 0-1 SIAC) struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 25 percent from the floor and 10 percent from three in the opening 20 minutes.
Christopher Whitmore Jr. led the charge for Tuskegee with 16 points, shooting a blistering 6-of-7 from the field and connecting on 3-of-4 from deep. Kusamae Draper was next, adding 15 points and eight rebounds, while showcasing his dominance in the paint. Meanwhile, Rodney Walker Jr. was the third double figure scorer with ten points and five assists, followed by Trey Crawford, who provided a spark off the bench with nine points, two assists, and three rebounds along with two huge alley oops.
Tuskegee’s offense was in sync, finishing the game shooting 56.1 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range. The Golden Tigers’ balanced attack saw contributions from multiple players, with five athletes scoring at least eight points. Tuskegee’s bench provided a significant boost, outscoring Benedict’s reserves 39-20.
Defensively, Tuskegee’s effort was relentless, forcing 19 turnovers and converting them into 22 points. The Golden Tigers also dominated the fast break, outscoring Benedict 22-2 in transition.
Tuskegee’s defensive prowess held Benedict to just 24.6 percent shooting for the game and just 8.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Benedict struggled to match Tuskegee’s energy and efficiency. The Tigers were led by Frankie Dennard, who tallied seven points and four rebounds.
Despite a valiant effort on the boards, where they matched Tuskegee with 45 rebounds, the Tigers couldn’t overcome their shooting woes or contain Tuskegee’s offensive firepower.
The second half saw Tuskegee continue to pour it on, extending their lead to as much as 40 points late in the game. The Golden Tigers shot a scorching 60.9 percent from the field in the second half and connected on four of eight attempts from three-point range.
The victory was a testament to Tuskegee’s ability to play as a cohesive unit, with standout individual performances bolstered by contributions across the roster. Head coach Benjy Taylor praised the team’s defensive intensity and unselfish play, noting that the win was a result of collective effort and focus.
This performance marks a turning point for the Golden Tigers, who demonstrated their potential to compete at a high level in the SIAC. With this resounding victory, Tuskegee will look to build momentum as they prepare for their next SIAC contest.
Up Next
The Golden Tigers will return to the court in a week as they host Georgia Southwestern State on Tuesday, November 26 inside Chappie James Center at 3 p.m.
Source: Tuskegee Athletics/goldentigersports.com
